Fallen Topeka Officers Remembered in Prayer Vigil

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TOPEKA, Kan. -- Mourners gathered on Monday night to honor two Topeka Police officers who died on Sunday night in the line of duty.

Officers David Gogian, 50, and Jeff Atherly, 29, were shot and killed after they confronted a suspicious man in the parking lot of a Topeka grocery story on Sunday night. The suspect in the shooting, David Edward Tiscareno, 22, was shot by police during an early Monday morning standoff and later died of his injuries.

On Monday night, hundreds of mourners - including Gov. Sam Brownback - held a prayer vigil for the fallen officers in front of the city's Law Enforcement Center.

"These two men have truly brought out the best in this community and state," said Brownback. "While there's nothing we can do to undo the the horrific events that have taken place we will do our best to comfort those in this time of need and support them in the future."

Topeka Police Chief Ron Miller said that Gogian was an eight-year veteran of the department, while Atherly was on the force for less than two years. Both were described as first-rate officers.